Now, some nutrition and health analysts say the preoccupation with trans fats has gone too far.

They say that in some cases, trans fats simply are being replaced with other unhealthful oils. And at a time when 66% of adults in the USA are overweight or obese, the analysts say the nation's fixation with trans fats is drawing attention away from other important reasons Americans' diets are so bad for their hearts: They continue to consume too many calories, too much junk food and not enough fruits and vegetables.

It's pretty interesting to see that amount of work that's gone into companies replacing trans fats and also how the conventional wisdom has changed on them.

I actually found myself agreeing with the industry-sponsored dietician who said, "my concern as a registered dietitian is that with all this focus on trans fats, there's not enough focus on an overall healthful diet, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, as well as fish and vegetable oils."

That's pretty hard to deny. The truth is that consuming less fat in general is what's going to make a real difference. In the meantime, though, getting trans fats out of people's diets is bound to help.

Which isn't to say that I believe it should be legislated out of existence.